:D Barefoot Running

[ghost]

Here is the link for the item.
I've been very interested to read this thread as for a while I have thought that it cannot be right for running shoes to 'insulate' us from natural terrain and to attempt to make every footstrike identical to the last. To do so, I am sure, produces the repetitive strain type injuries so common in runners. Paradoxically (to non fell runners), fell running places us at less risk of arthritis of the hips and knees than road running because of the continually varying terrain, footstrike, and load bearing on the larger joints.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8483401.stm

[Inov-8 Insider]

Running Scared
http://www.runningquest.net/

[Alphin]

Not posted on here for a while, just saw the thread..My input on Barefoot/Minimal shoe running.

Started using VFF's back in August and my beloved X-Talons without the footbed. Initial response was that shedding the cushioned shoe's makes you run in a more natural way. Took a couple of weeks to adjust the soles of the feet to rough terrain but I now look on this as getting a free foot massage.
I now only run in VFF's and X-Talons (no footbed), mainly Dark Peak area and tend to favour my X-Talons in wet, slippery conditions.
Running - I have re-evaluated my style and as a result I am now more interested in form and travelling more efficiently on foot. Seeing more enroute and enjoying the experience more!
I cover 30+ miles a week, the longest run in my VFF's being the Saddleworth Five Trigs (20 miles'ish).
Barefoot/Minimal shoe travel has opened up a new world for me!
Will certainly be interested in Inov8's addition to the minimal shoe market.
See you out there

[Twister]

I cover 30+ miles a week, the longest run in my VFF's being the Saddleworth Five Trigs (20 miles'ish).

Thats really good! Did you ever have any stone bruising issues? I think my initial problem was doing too much too soon in VFF, I went from 3-4 barefoot miles a week to doing a full 12 miler on fell/trails... So I went back to running in inov8 Xtalons, then decided that theses were too minimal for the amount of miles I was putting in [training for an Ultra] and went up another level to the 285's (Both without the foot-beds). I've recently started back on the VFF for my recovery runs of about 2-3 miles and this feels very nice indeed, and I'm back in the Xtalons again so I'm going to hopefully build up slower, my goal is to run distance, and by this I mean +26 milers completely barefoot.

Like you I'm waiting patiently for the new inov8's and hope that they may come out a bit earlier than July as we leave the country the first week of July for good... (sooner if Cameron gets in)

[Twister]

Running Scared
http://www.runningquest.net/

This is a very interesting article and a great Blog.

Check out this from Brooks...

http://talk.brooksrunning.com/2010/0...ceo-jim-weber/

http://www.brooksrunning.com/media/F...ewo_letter.pdf

[Hanneke]

I have now taken to litterally running barefoot... no shoes... and will be building this up once the weather gets a bit better and once I am well enough to run again... (recovering from a very bad chest infection that turned to pneumonia and caused transverse myelitis)

In the meantime, x-talons and f-lite 230's all the way

[Twister]

Day off today (see my post in health for details!) So have been surfing the net
here's a good link for all barefoot fans out there...

http://www.youtube.com/NatureVideoCh...gl=GB&hl=en-GB

Some really nice slow motion stuff

[Terry the Tortoise]

I've run up to 30 miles so far wearing VFF Treks on training runs and have found them a great training tool. My cadence has increased and I'm a lot lighter on my feet now. Depending on the course (sharp rock paths do hurt when trying to go flat out), I have also found that I've caught up with my old race times but without the aches and pains I used to suffer in shods. I still go back to my X-Talons when the terrain calls for it. When you're going flat out descending the side of a cliff, the X-Talons offer a little more protection (not cushioning) from the sharp objects out there. I've tried this in my Treks before and been unlucky enough to land on a few razor like rocks and stones, and they hurt! So I'll use Treks for most of my training and the X-Talons for racing.

[mcckrd]

Hi,
Im fascinated by this thread and fascinated with all things evolution, i totally agree with the minimal shoe choice, ive seen the light since buying my most recent pair of shoes, flyroc 310, and im intrigued to see what inov8 are cooking up. I cant believe some of you guys go fell running totally barefoot, i cant even walk the length of the garden path barefoot. i assume the feet toughen up eventually.

We evolved to stand upright and run after food, so i think the comments regards dropping out of the sky from any height are missing the point.

That said, im still an over protective father. My nine year old daughter wants me to take her running, she's extreemly flat footed and her lower legs kick out when walking and running.
Is the minimalist approach the best way when there is an underlying heath issue, is it possible she'll strengthen the week points that cause her to be flat footed, or should i be an hippocrite and buy her some suportive shoes.
I dont want her to lose interest because im bleating on about running technique, she's becoming more and more female by the day and reluctantly takes advice from any man.

Any advice will be appreciated.

cheers
Mark

[Spyros76]

I wish Inov-8 will make a trail shoe like this: http://www.newbalance.com/products/MT100/
It has more support in the arch than in the heel, for midfoot strikers.